Louis Armstrong, In His Own Words

More about the book

Louis Armstrong has inspired numerous biographies and music histories, yet his extensive writings remain largely overlooked. This volume reveals a lesser-known aspect of the legendary trumpeter, band leader, and entertainer. Drawing from the Armstrong archives, it features early letters, personal correspondence with a biographer from 1943-44, autobiographical pieces, magazine articles, and essays. Readers gain insight into Armstrong's life and career, from his impoverished beginnings in New Orleans to his performances in Storyville's cafes and saloons. It chronicles his breakthrough in 1922 with the King Oliver band, his rise in New York, his role in breaking color barriers in Hollywood, the notorious King of the Zulus incident in 1949, and his final days in Queens. Throughout, Armstrong shares poignant reflections on his era and candid, often controversial views on racism, marijuana, bebop, and fellow jazz musicians like Jelly Roll Morton and Coleman Hawkins. These writings create a nuanced portrait of him as a musician, entertainer, civil rights advocate, and cultural icon. His unique language and punctuation style are preserved, offering an authentic glimpse into the life of this compelling artist. The volume also includes introductions to the writings and an annotated index of names and places significant to Armstrong's journey.